Masai Mara (Kenya)

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Masai Mara is "The" park of parks in Kenya. Its grass-carpeted smooth hills, the chocolate Mara river waters with frolicking hippos, as well as the rich faunal diversity, fulfill the expectations of any visitor searching the African landscapes portraited in motion pictures such as "Out of Africa" or "Mogambo".

Save particular tastes or special requirements, this is the park on top of the "must" list in the country: no trip to Kenya would be complete without a visit to Masai Mara. True that it's not the best park for birdwatching, and true that some species are not easily found. However, leopards and rhinos abound, and with more than 450 bird species, the reserve should not be envious of Samburu or the great Kenyan bird sanctuaries. Albeit, in an area only slightly smaller than the State of Rhode Island and with a diverse and complex geography, getting lost is far easier than finding a leopard or sighting a given bird species in its multiple woods.

Locality:

The reserve, gazetted in 1961, is located west of the Rift Valley and is a natural extension of the Serengeti plains, in Tanzania. The Mara river, the reserve's backbone, traverses north to south heading for its westbound way unto lake Victoria, through the Tanzanian park. This course is the natural barrier crossed every year by the large migratory herds of wildebeests and zebras which march across the two parks.

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Masai Mara's location and altitude, above 1,500 m, yield a climate which is milder and damper than in other regions. The grassy landscape and the nutrient wealth for the great herds are mantained by the abundant rains, which here last from November through June, as a fusion of the two rain seasons (long and short) typical in other Kenya areas. Night storms are frequent. In the hills and plains, grasslands are scattered with acacia woods and bush. The riverbanks of the Mara and of the multiple tributary streams are bordered by dense riverine forests with a good chance to find some of the reserve's bird species.

The long distance to the country's main urban centers poses a difference that allows this reserve to keep one of the features which is becoming today an oddity in African parks: wildlife roams in complete freedom, without fences or other obstacles around. Animals make no notice of the borders drawn on the papers, not only those which split Kenya from Tanzania but the limits of the protected area as well. The reserve is surrounded north and east by the so-called dispersal area, inhabited by the Maasai but otherwise similar to the territory within the limits, with equal or even higher opportunities to spot wildlife than at the reserve itself, frequently overcrowded by tourists arriving and wandering around by car, minibus, airplane, balloon or microlight.

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Population: 33.829.600
Languages: English (official), Swahili (national), and numero
Currency: Kenyan shilling
Currency code: KES
Local Times:
Kenya - Nairobi

Country Dialling Code: +254
Voltage: 240V 50Hz
Electrical plugs:
2 parallel circular prongs with an earth connector

2 parallel circular prongs with an earth connector

Kenya is the 'Land of the Lion King' and sits at the centre of the African safari experience, with an outstanding variety of wild animals and Big Five opportunities. Although safaris are its greatest attraction, it is a country of great diversity with much more to offer than splendid wildlife. Essentially it is a place for outdoor living - the coast offers beaches and water-based activities, the mountains present a challenge to hikers and climbers, and the rolling savannahs are a game-viewers paradise.

The Republic of Kenya (Jamhuri ya Kenya) is located on the equator in East Africa. Kenya has an area of 224,961 square miles, slightly smaller then Texas with a population of 26,164,000 and growing. The capital is Nairobi holding a population of 1,200,000, seventy percent of which are African. Although English is the official language there are hundreds of different tribal dialects currently in use with Swahili being the most popular. Kenya is bordered by Uganda, Tanzania, Somalia, Ethiopia, Sudan and the Indian Ocean which provides some of the best beaches along Kenya's coast.

The country sits astride the equator and offers fabulous scenery and a variety of tribal cultures. From its central location, the sacred peaks of Mt Kenya reign over a landscape primarily covered by grasslands and thorn trees, much of it enclosed within its many parks and reserves. To the west the spectacular Great Rift Valley is sprinkled with lakes teeming with a variety of birdlife, whose shores and surrounds are traversed by agricultural farmlands. To the east lies the promise of an idyllic beach holiday with the requisite white palm-fringed beaches and pristine coral reefs. Inhabiting the highlands and Rift Valley are two of the most well known of the numerous tribal cultures, the Kikuyu farmers and the tall, red-clad Masai cattle herders. The coast is home to ancient Swahili civilisations and old port towns that are rich in a history of exotic spice trading and fighting.

Kenya has a sophisticated tourism infrastructure, with two major cities controlling the majority of the tourism trade. Nairobi, the capital, is the safari and hiking hub, situated in the cool Central Highlands, while on the east coast the hot and humid trading port of Mombasa functions as the gateway to the resorts and pristine beaches of the area. Sadly the heavy influence of tourism has meant excessive prices for safaris, souvenirs and most activities of interest to foreigners, as well as the constant hassle by touts, guides and sellers to part with as much money as they can dupe the guilty traveller into spending.

Despite this, the people are friendly and visitors can choose to do as little or as much as they like, and the combination of wildlife, together with its beaches and mountains, make Kenya a fantastic holiday destination.

Relax on a tropical beach enjoying the glorious Kenya sunshine or enjoy the 'Real Africa' and combine your holiday with our range of 1, 2, 3, 4 and 6 night safari options - it's up to you!

Most of Kenya safari packages can be included within a 7 or 14 night holiday allowing you the freedom and flexibiility of creating your own, very special, once in a lifetime experience.
The startling contrasts of landscape and the outstanding natural beauty of Kenya must be seen to be believed. Long stretches of white sandy beaches are lapped by crystal clear, turquoise waters protected by the coral reef, which runs almost the entire length of the coast.

Inland, nowhere on earth can claim such a dense profusion of wildlife in such spectacular surroundings. From the legendary wilderness of Tsavo, ASC's exclusive Kimana game reserve, the majestic peak of Kilimanjaro, the rain forests of Mount Kenya to the stunning savannah of the Masai Mara - Kenya really does welcome you to a lifetime experience.

From the moment you arrive in Kenya, you will be struck by the warmth and friendliness of the local people who are genuinely happy to receive guests from anywhere, perhaps a leftover from bygone days.